The first stop of the Hilux Dakar rally is the town of Kasbah in the north of the country. The town has two petrol stations as well as a petrol pump. All major cities in Morocco have two petrol stations with the exception of the capital Rabat, which only has one.
Kasbah is a small and quite quaint place, especially during the day. The main market here is called Bouzidah al-Mubarakah. It is situated next to a fish market and was used to be a textile market until the early 1960's. It is now a place for locals to gather together for the local market.
A taxi would take you straight to the airport from here. There are two international airports in this area, the other being at Rabat. The nearest international airport is the Casablanca International Airport, thirty-five kilometers away from Kasbah. If you arrive at the airport you should get a cab as well and if you do not, then a taxi is available by the airport terminal.
The town centre here is very nice as it is built in the old Spanish colonial style. This style is a lot of fun and it helps you feel like you are in a small town, but also in the midst of big things. The buildings are simple but they excellently paint the town. The streets are wide and you will find plenty of shops selling different things including everything from clothing to fresh produce. If you want to eat, you can go out to the many restaurants available here, which offer a wide variety of tastes and types.
If you go to the market during lunch time, you will find that the street is packed with locals all enjoying their day. The market is open until the late afternoon hours, so it is possible to see all that you need to see without having to wait for the evening. You will find many stalls selling various types of goods. These can range from fresh produce, fish, meat, vegetables, handicrafts and even furniture. The market is also a place where you can find some authentic Moroccan food which comes from the north. Of course, if you are in the mood for something more adventurous, then there are also some restaurants that sell some very good local cuisine.
The town is not only a tourist attraction but is also a great place for families. There are parks, playgrounds and a children's play area, but the best part of this is a large green park. The kids play soccer here which is a lot of fun and there is an entire area in the park that is dedicated to horse riding. There are a number of different activities that children can enjoy. The area is also decorated for the tourists to walk around. They will find a few benches that are made of wooden posts.
